We Are More Similar Than We Are Different

We Are More Similar Than We Are Different

Jessica-H-Ingram posted a photo:

We Are More Similar Than We Are Different

This image and self portrait was originally dedicated to the shootings in Orlando. At times I think it is easy to forget how lucky some of us are and how free we are to express ourselves how we choose. As a member of the LGBT community and somebody who is open about my own sexuality this tragedy hit me hard however it was also an eye-opener. It reminded me that we should be more open minded, we should talk more frequently about these issues and we should all provide support for each other wherever we can.
I said originally that this image was dedicated to the tragedy in Orlando however with more recent events of violence against beliefs in my own country I felt that it was more suitable to be a dedication against all of the violence that has been occurring. Everybody is entitled to their own beliefs and everybody should have the freedom to be whoever they want to be as long as they are not harming others. We should all unite against violence and instead of focusing on our differences, focus on our similarities. We should learn from each other, help each other, be open minded towards one another and help where we can. There is no need for violence, there is no need for destruction and it breaks my heart to see this day in and day out.

You can contact me for photoshoots at [email protected] or via my Facebook Page & website

We Are More Similar Than We Are Different

‘Star Trek’ Actor Anton Yelchin, 27, Dies in Accident

‘Star Trek’ Actor Anton Yelchin, 27, Dies in Accident

Anton Yelchin

Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin has died in an accident at his home:

According to reports, Yelchin’s friends alerted police when he failed to turn up to a rehearsal scheduled to start some hours earlier. They then discovered the actor in his driveway at around 1am. No other vehicles are thought to have been involved.

TMZ has a few more details.

Yelchin is best known for playing Chekhov in the recent Star Trek films, and the thriller Alpha Dog. He was 27.

The AP adds:

Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. Yelchin’s family requests privacy at this time.

The post ‘Star Trek’ Actor Anton Yelchin, 27, Dies in Accident appeared first on Towleroad.



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JK Rowling, Tampa Bay Rays, Chelsea Clinton, Peter Thiel, Apple, Vienna, Tarzan: NEWS

JK Rowling, Tampa Bay Rays, Chelsea Clinton, Peter Thiel, Apple, Vienna, Tarzan: NEWS

Tim Cook2016 ELECTION. Apple withdraws support of Republican convention over Donald Trump: “Unlike Facebook, Google and Microsoft, which have all said they will provide some support to the GOP event in Cleveland next month, Apple decided against donating technology or cash to the effort, according to two sources familiar with the iPhone maker’s plans. Apple’s political stand against Trump, communicated privately to Republicans, is a sign of the widening schism between Silicon Valley and the GOP’s bombastic presumptive nominee.”

FRANK BRUNI. Republicans’ “big hot mess.”

bk_clinton2016 ELECTION. Clinton’s path to victory: “Rather than expand the 2012 map in any significant way, the Clinton campaign and its allies want to replicate it. They are obsessed with choking off Trump’s narrower path, hoping to strike a decisive victory in Florida — multiple Clinton officials declared there is nearly no path for Trump without it — while aggressively defending the Democratic-leaning states in the industrial Midwest that Trump has talked most about flipping — most importantly, Pennsylvania. Campaign officials say they think Clinton can turn out more female voters than Obama did. But they see one surrogate in particular as key to recreating the Obama coalition: President Obama himself, who they expect to campaign hard on behalf of Clinton beginning Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.”

FATHER’S DAY. Transgender dad: I am who I am.

JK ROWLING. Harry Potter author sends wreath of red roses and carnations to memorial for Orlando shooting victim who worked on Harry Potter ride at Universal.

I swear JK Rowling is the sweetest human on the planet. pic.twitter.com/OY455s2632

— Saint Mac Tonight (@Narlstrom) June 18, 2016

BUDDY DYER. OneOrlando raised $7 million for victims’ families and survivors.

PINK PISTOLS. LGBT gun group membership spikes.

FORT WORTH. SWAT teams train for emergency at LGBT nightclub. “The Rainbow Lounge is making security changes of its own ahead of a busy Friday night at the popular Fort Worth nightclub.”

SPORTS. The Tampa Bay Rays and MLB honored the Orlando victims.

OMAR MATEENTroubled. Quiet. Macho. Angry. The volatile life of the Orlando shooter. “Mateen appeared conflicted about his religion and his sexuality, according to dozens of interviews with those who knew him. He married twice, each time to a woman he had met online, even though he also seemed drawn to gay life and culture.”

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SAN JOSE. Judge dismisses lewd conduct charges against gay men: “A judge Friday found that San Jose officers unfairly targeted gay men by carrying out undercover lewd-conduct stings at a men’s bathroom in Columbus Park, the latest rejection of such police tactics around the country.”

IT’S A BOY. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky welcome a son.

Marc and I are overwhelmed with gratitude and love as we celebrate the birth of our son, Aidan Clinton Mezvinsky.

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 18, 2016

thielFACEBOOK. Will gay billionaire Peter Thiel, who bankrolled the Hulk Hogan lawsuit which bankrupted Gawker, remain on the social network’s board?  “Thiel is also a Donald Trump supporter, and while you’d normally hope someone’s political affiliation wouldn’t impact an important business decision, Trump has a way of alienating and offending massive groups of people — groups of people that are very important to Facebook’s business. It’s hard to imagine Zuckerberg isn’t bothered by the association. Which brings us back to Monday, when Zuckerberg will ultimately decide whether or not Thiel stays on the board. It’s technically up for shareholder vote, but Zuckerberg owns more than 60 percent of Facebook’s total voting power. So it will be his call.”

AUSTRIA. More than 130,000 people attend Rainbow Parade in Vienna.

franzoneBLOOD. Gay man not having sex for a year so that he can donate blood: “When our community is attacked, we want to help,” said Franzone. “We want to be there. But we can’t because we’re gay. Discrimination is still alive and well in outdated federal policies.” Not having sex for a year is “one way to get the FDA’s attention,” he continued. “I don’t want to say I’m doing this for press, but I know this will get attention, and this policy needs to be looked at.”

GLASGOW. Bus driver arrested after swearing at gay couple, banning them from bus: “The male couple, both 20, allege the driver swore and told them “people like you” should not be on the bus. They are reported to have challenged the bus driver when alighting after sitting through the journey “in shock”. The couple claim they were told that they were banned from using McGill’s services and were prevented from boarding a bus by the same driver a few days later.”

MARICON. Gay slur condemned at Copa America. “Copa America continues in the South Bay this weekend. Saturday’s soccer match between Mexico and Chile at Levi’s Stadium is sold out, but some are worried about whether it’ll be an appropriate venue for families following concerns over slurs used by the Mexican team fans.”

PORTUGAL. Thousands march at Gay Pride in Lisbon: “Organisers estimated that this year’s Gay Pride parade was the largest to date, with at least 6,000 people taking part.”

FINALS WEEK. When your laptop starts playing “F**k it all” during your final and you can’t get it to stop.

CAKE IN THE JUNGLE. A new shot of Alexander Skarsgard in The Legend of Tarzan, which hits theaters July 1.

Alexander Skarsgard Tarzan

The post JK Rowling, Tampa Bay Rays, Chelsea Clinton, Peter Thiel, Apple, Vienna, Tarzan: NEWS appeared first on Towleroad.



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Proud of ‘Over the Rainbow’ — Gay Iconography

Proud of ‘Over the Rainbow’ — Gay Iconography

'Over the Rainbow' Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz

Many of us are still processing the tragedy in Orlando last weekend. There are so many important things we must take away from the tragedy. Never forgetting the lives of the innocent LGBTQ lives lost. Making gun control an LGBTQ issue. Understanding how our community is still a target.

There were even more takeaways that followed, hopeful takeaways. We are resilient. We are clever. We are loved. And, also, we are goddamned talented.

At vigils and remembrances across the country, a familiar chorus rang out. In London, in Melbourne, in New York City, LGBTQ people came together to honor those we lost, to comfort those of us still here and and to sing “Over the Rainbow.”

The song has long been embedded in the fabric of the LGBTQ community. Of course, the song was originally written for The Wizard of Oz, performed by ultimate gay icon Judy Garland. It would become her signature song until her death. As if the lyrics about a youth living in a black-and-white world dreaming about a vibrant, colorful existence somewhere over the rainbow wasn’t enough to cement the song in LGBTQ history, it’s said the creator of the rainbow flag was inspired by the song.

Whether you’re celebrating pride this month at a parade, with friends or just on your own, do it with some of our favorite “Over the Rainbow” performances below.

And, please, never stop singing.

Judy Garland, “Over the Rainbow” in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby.

Patti LaBelle, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Live at the Apollo (1989)

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”/“What A Wonderful World” (1993)

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me

Rufus Wainwright, “Over the Rainbow” Live at the London Palladium (2007)

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can’t I?

P!nk, “Over the Rainbow” Live at the Oscars (2014)

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow why, oh, why can’t I?

What’s your favorite “Over the Rainbow” performance?

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